Life in a snow globe - My trip to Aspen, Colorado with Adam - At the top of Buttermilk Mountain (Pyramid Peak in the background)

I sat in silence staring out the window at the snow-capped mountains trying to recall the last time I was on a snowboard. Growing up in Canada you learn to make the most of winter. My mom, in an effort to get us out of the house, repeatedly signed us up for Snowhawks Raven Ski & Snowboard School every year. This meant my brother and I would be up early on Saturdays trying to catch the Snowhawks bus so we could spend the day at different ski resorts snowboarding and hanging with friends. It was during these weekend that I fell in love with winter.

Now though, sitting in my window seat 30,000 feet in the air on my way to Aspen, I couldn’t even recall when I had last touched my snowboard. Somewhere along the way life pulled me away from the one thing that made me love winter, but now as I drew closer to my final destination, that was all about to change.

Rocky Mountain Range in Aspen Colorado

Although I’ve heard people rave about how amazing skiing in Aspen is, I have never been. In truth I wasn’t really sure where it sat on the spectrum of ‘extremely pretentious to completely approachable’ but I was super excited to find out. Thankfully I had Adam with me who was equally excited about the trip and itching to get on the slopes, so I knew no matter what it was going to be fun.

While in town, Adam and I would be staying at the Limelight Hotel, a contemporary hotel located right in Aspen Village that came with many perks including complimentary breakfast, ski shuttle service, 2 hours car loans and airport car service! Once we landed at Aspen Airport and gathered our bags, we were greeted warmly by a Limelight driver who was ready and waiting. He ushered us into our very own private Audi Q7 (part of the hotel fleet) and within 15 minutes we were at the hotel.

Eager to check out the area Adam and I quickly dropped our bags in our room before heading out to explore. The room was large and had, wait, two queen beds? LOL! Adam and I had to laugh at this because he always complains that I am like sleeping next to an inferno and having his own bed would be the icing on the cake for him… and my needy nightmare. Regardless of the sleeping situation we were on a mission to find ski gear because Adam and I kind of showed up to Aspen with no outerwear and no gear… That’s right, NOTHING!

Thankfully a stones-throw from the hotel was 4 Mountain Sports, a full service retail and rental shop that offered an array of premium ski and snowboard gear starting as low as US $60 per day. It took Adam and I less than an hour to get fully fitted with all our gear – snowboard for me, skis and polls for him, boots and helmets for both – which, besides our helmet and boots, we didn’t even need to take back to the hotel because they deliver your gear to the slopes. Whaaatttttt!?

Now that we had our gear sorted all we had to do was get fitted for outwear. To help us overcome this challenge we turned to Lorenzo at Suit Yourself – a local skiwear outfitter who brings jackets, pants, gloves, and goggles to your hotel room so you don’t have to freeze your butt off on the slopes. He hooked us up with premium Helly Hansen outerwear for an average of US $50 a day and just like that, Adam and I were ready to hit the slopes!

Enjoyed a charcuterie board at Meat & Cheese in Aspen, CO

By the time we finished all our errands it was nearing 3pm and, considering the 7-hour travel day we just endured, a drink was much needed! Enter Meat and Cheese, a cute eatery and marketplace where you can sit down and enjoy an array of artisanal breads, meats and surprise, surprise, cheese! This place came highly recommended by the hotel as well as the folks at Four Mountain and we were not disappointed. Their menu consists of a variety of charcuterie boards and featured mostly locally sources ingredients that were completely up our alley. Knowing very well that we were going to sit down and have dinner in a couple hours Adam and I decided to grab a couple drinks and share a couple charcuterie boards to save some room for dinner.

Two things I quickly learned about Aspen, Colorado was that 1) altitude can really affect your tolerance when it comes to alcohol, and 2) eating out can quickly become expensive. Thankfully one of the reasons why Meat and Cheese came so highly recommended was because their lunch specials are pretty affordable in comparison to other restaurants located on ‘restaurant row’ in Aspen Village. Also since it only took me one glass of Prosecco to start feeling buzzed, Adam and I were also able to save a little money there. LOL!

Enjoying and authentic Italian meal at L’Hostaria in Aspen, CO.

That night’s dinner was at another local favourite and one of the oldest restaurants in Aspen, L’Hostaria. Located less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel L’Hostaria is an authentic Italian restaurant that was described by many locals as their ‘go-to date night spot’, and upon walking in we could see why. The traditional, cozy, white table cloth, candle-lit Italian restaurant ambiance was in full effect and not only was the dining room completely packed with patrons but so was the bar. Having essentially saved ourselves for this meal Adam and I were starving so we started with a selection of appetizers including their eggplant parmesan which was phenomenal! For our mains Adam and I shared the mixed seafood pasta and the lamb chops only to politely fight over who would get the last bites. By the time we left we were both stuffed to the gills and ripe and ready for bed.

Eager to seize the day on the slopes Adam and I got up early and made our way down to the restaurant for breakfast. It wasn’t until we sat that we remembered we had forgotten to sign up for the hotel’s complementary ski shuttle service the night before and were faced with the hard truth that it was fully booked up. Thankfully the hotel informed us that the Aspen bus station was only a 5 minute walk up the street and RFTA buses to the slopes were not only free but they departed every 30 minutes. The only downfall we learned to taking the bus was that your commute takes an extra 20 minutes but, alas, beggars can’t be choosers and a free ride is a free ride!

View from the chairlift at Snowmass Mountain

One thing you should know about Aspen is that there are four mountains to choose from; Aspen, Highlands, Snowmass, and Buttermilk. Aspen and Highlands are the hardest of the four mountains and have the most single and double black diamond runs. Snowmass offers more of a variety of terrain while Buttermilk is great for novice skiers and beginners. Since our trip was early in the ski season all the mountains except Buttermilk were open (it would open on our second day), and since I hadn’t snowboarded in ages we decided on start on Snowmass Mountain.

Once we finally got to the base of Snowmass, grabbing our gear and lift tickets (you can order them ahead of time online) was easy! Before Adam and I knew it we were at the top, strapped in, and ready for our first run. Although I was feeling slightly nervous about not having snowboarded in nearly a decade, it really only took me a couple of runs for the muscle memory to kick in and before I knew it I was carving confidently down the hill, whizzing by people and cutting through trees without any problems. Sure I may of wiped out half a dozen times but I was having so much fun! By the end of the day I was back to my old ‘winter loving’ self again.

Après sangria at Venga Venga Cantina!

After a full day of skiing, Adam and I were looking forward to getting some much deserved drinks at one of Aspen’s best après-ski spots, Venga Venga. Weeks earlier, while researching the destination I had seen quite a few mentions of the Mexican cantina and tequila bar, and since it was at the Snowmass Mall close to where we drop off our gear, we thought we would give it a try. Turns out Venga Venga is quite the perch! With panoramic views of the slopes and fire pits on the patio to keep you warm, people gather to drink cold brews and unwind after a big ski day. Soon after we showed up a DJ arrived, followed by even more people and before you knew it we were in the midst of a full on aprés party! If we didn’t have dinner plans at Crêperie du Village that night we would have probably stayed there drinking sangria and eating tacos well into the night.

Much like Venga Venga, I first came across Crêperie du Village while researching Aspen and instantly became smitten with its French Alpine Bistro aesthetic. With its cozy, candle lit corners, and sheep skin covered chairs I knew I was just going to love this place. The restaurant was quite busy when we arrived for our dinner reservation, a great sign that the food was going to be equally as good as the ambiance. In no rush, Adam and I ordered a cocktail followed by the escargot (my fav), foie gras (Adam’s fav) and the steak tartar (both our favs). It was easily my most treasured meal of the entire trip and the perfect restaurant for a romantic evening. Adam and I wined and dined like Aspen royalty and deemed Crêperie du Village definitely worth the splurge.

After dinner Adam and I stopped by J-Bar at Hotel Jerome for a quick nightcap. The recently renovated hotel is actually one of Aspen’s most beloved historic landmarks and is often referred to as Aspen’s crown jewel. The bar inside, which is said to be haunted, has for years been the favoured watering hole for many who visit Aspen. Expectedly, the cocktails were on the pricier side but that didn’t stop Adam and I from getting cozy in front of the roaring fireplace and cheering to a perfect day in Aspen.

Enjoying a nightcap at J-Bar in Hotel Jerome

Having thoroughly enjoyed our day of skiing at Snowmass, Adam and I decided to yet again get up early and hit the slopes. This time though we had remembered to book the shuttle the night before and instead of having to wait the 30 minutes for the bus we were at the slopes in a speedy 15 minutes. Since we had plans to go snowmobiling in the afternoon and were only going to spend half the day skiing we decided to check out Buttermilk Mountain as it was opening day and apparently had the best views of Pyramid Peak – a choice we did not regret. For someone who hasn’t skied in a while I would even recommend going to Buttermilk before Snowmass as I felt their green and blue runs were easier than Snowmass’.

Adam and I doing a snowmobiling tour with T-Lazy Z Ranch in Aspen

After another amazing morning Adam and I headed straight to T-Lazy 7 Ranch for our snowmobiling tour. T-Lazy 7 Ranch has been an active ranch and lodge in Aspen for 80 years. About 50 years ago they started offering 2-4 hour snowmobile tours and Adam and I were told their tours were the best way to see the Maroon Bells – the most photographed peaks in North America. Having never snowmobiled before, we didn’t know what to expect but once we arrived and checked in we were quickly escorted over to the shed to be fitted with helmets and boots. Once we were fully decked out and ready to go, we were paired with a snowmobile and given a short safety lesson before heading out. The tour took us through the picturesque Maroon Creek Valley (the road is closed to cars in the winter making snowmobiling or cross country skiing the only way in or out) all the way to the base of Maroon Lake where we enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate and took in the beautiful view of the Maroon Bells. Once we got all our pictures we headed back to the ranch where our instructor guided us to their designated track where we got to open up the snowmobile and go as fast as we wanted! So fun!

By the time we finished snowmobiling it was time to après! Adam and I headed back to Aspen Village to check out Shlomo’s Deli & Grill, who’s après ski session is apparently best on Saturdays. By the time we arrived the bar was packed and the party was in full swing. There were girls on the bar dancing to old school hip hop like House of Pain and the whole crowd was going wild. It was definitely the youngest and rowdiest après ski party we encountered while in Aspen. Adam and I loved all the music the DJ was spinning and stayed there partying and dancing for hours until we started to get tipsy and needed to eat. Craving some pizza, Adam and I decided to headed back to the Limelight Hotel for their famous oven fired pizza which totally hit the spot – yum!

Après Ski gets rowdy at Shlomo’s Deli and Grill

Although Aspen can be expensive there are definitely ways to get around paying premium prices and spending and arm and a leg. For example, rates for accommodations are lower at the very beginning of the ski season (late November early December) as well as later (early April) for closing parties. If you stay at the Limelight you can also save some money on food and drinks by using the hotel’s car loan service (complementary with your stay) to stop by the grocery store as some of the rooms have kitchenettes. Alternatively, some restaurants do offer lunch/après specials like Meat & Cheese and the Limelight Hotel or even try the bar menu for dinner at L’Hostaria. If you are willing to splurge and spend some dough, dinner at Crêperie du Village and snowmobiling with T-Lazy 7 Ranch were amazing, quality experiences that added great value to my overall trip.

Unfortunately our weekend of fun in Aspen came to a close and although short it sure was sweet. We both agreed to come back again, next time for at least a week, and perhaps with a group of friends in tow. In the end our trip to Aspen reignited our love for winter and we both walked away promising to plan more ski vacations together in the future.

Welcome to Denver! I had the chance to visit the Mile High City this year and have to say I was thoroughly impressed! Denver, the capital city of Colorado, has created quite the name for itself with it's booming craft beer industry, it's amazing outdoor activities, its dispensaries, and its urban development. While in Denver I did come across quite a few fun places and thought I would share them with you here!

Little Man Ice Cream - Denver's cutest spot to get a delicious scoop of tasty homemade ice cream! I had the chance to check out Little Man Ice Cream while in Denver and believe me when I say it is a spot not to be missed! Their LOHI location stands within an iconic 28ft tall cream can that brings back vintage American nostalgia. Since opening in 2008 it has become a favourite for locals and visitors alike and their cookies and cream ice cream alone is definitely worth the visit. *Drool*

Root Down - Denver locals take their brunch very seriously, so it was a little bit of a shock to Andrew and I when we found out how hard it was to get a table. We wandered around LOHI for a while before we were lucky enough to score a table in the bar area of Root Down (after hovering around two people occupying a high top that were paying their bill) and the rest is history. We easily enjoyed a couple hours of bottomless mimosas and brunching at Root Down! The restaurant scene in Denver may be super laid back, but I suggest coming to this place early and hungry because the food is delicious and on weekends it's crazy busy.

Recess Beer Garden - located in Denver’s LOHI neighbourhood, this beer garden and eatery is a fun spot. My cousin who lives in Denver took me here after dinner at Linger to meet up with a bunch of her friends and it was packed. In the last 10 years Colorado has seen a huge boom in craft brewers and if you are a big fan of beer and are looking for a cool place to enjoy casual fare and sample a handful of Colorado craft brews on tap - this is it! They also have a large patio area, serve more than just beer, and allow dogs, which to me, a dog lover, is always a bonus!

Enjoying a glass of wine inside Union Station

Union Station - This iconic 100-year-old building has recently undergone renovations and has been elegantly and brilliantly refitted with a modern sensibility while still paying homage to its pioneer spirit! Definitely worth checking out, Denver’s Union Station houses numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, shops and even a hotel! Every Saturday between May 12 and October 27 you can also enjoy live music, fresh produce, and cooking demos as part of the Union Station Farmers Market curated by Boulder County Farmers Markets.

Stoic and Genuine - Although Colorado is located nowhere near an ocean, Stoic and Genuine serves up fresh, sustainable seafood on the daily. I stumbled upon this restaurant while spending an afternoon getting some work done at the lovely Union Station (it is located inside) and thoroughly indulged in their happy hour wine and oyster selection. If you are dining alone I definitely recommend snagging a spot along the seafood bar so you can catch all the action in their open-concept kitchen. Although I was eating alone, many people tried to chat with me throughout my meal and I never felt like I was actually solo. As a matter of fact, this spot made me feel like I received a warm Denver welcome from many friendly locals! Yay to good vibes all around!

Milk Market - North America seems to be obsessed with the new food hall concept so it’s no surprise that Denver’s Ballpark Neighbourhood recently opened its doors to the Milk Market. Open daily from 11 am - 3 pm, the Milk Market houses a healthy mix of 16 local vendors ranging from take-away to dine-in restaurants concepts. If you are travelling with a large group or are just an indecisive foodie, head to the Milk Market and feast your eyes on some delicious food and drink options, all conveniently located under one roof.

At the Red Rocks Amphitheater with Andrew Lovesey and Chris Heywood to see One Republic

Red Rocks Amphitheatre - OMG - this place is a MUST!! I don’t usually go on vacation and grab tickets to a concert but if you are ever in Denver, you need to go see a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Not only are the acoustics amazing and the venue outstanding from a bigger-than-life standpoint, but it is also the only naturally-occurring, acoustically PERFECT amphitheater in the world. Every musician aspires to play on this stage! If you are a huge music lover and want to hear the best acoustics of your life, you gotta check out a concert at Red Rocks!

Denver Botanical Gardens - a beautiful spot to snap some pictures and spend the afternoon, the Denver Botanical Gardens is a lovely spot to spend an afternoon while in Denver. Although it a little bit of a trek from the downtown core, if you are into biospheres and cool outdoor pieces of art you need to check this place out. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $9 for students and children. They currently have a pixelated sculpture exhibit going on by the artist Mike Whiting called Pixilated. The sculptures remind me of characters in my favourite childhood vintage video games like Mario Brothers and PacMan! Very cool!

Exploring Denver Botanical Gardens

It is definitely safe to say that Denver has not seen the last of me. I had so much fun visiting and feel like I have only scratched the surface. It's a young city, it's a booming city, and it's a creative city. The people are warm, welcoming, and even on the days I was solo, I felt completely safe and had no problems getting around. I must say 3-4 days is not enough as Denver is also known for its amazing outdoor activities. If you want to explore both the city and take advantage of their amazing athletic activities you need at least a week! Although my time there was short, Denver definitely gets my stamp of approval and is DEFINITELY worth adding to your travel bucket list.

If you have any questions about my trip or want to know more informaiton, feel free to hit me up in the comment section below!